Game



June 19, 1945. D. J. CROWLEY 2,373,621

GAME

Filed March 27, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIGJT.

INVENTOR.

DANIEL J. CROWLEY ALMM ATTORNEYS Jtme- 19, 1945. CROWLEY 2,378,621

GAME

Filed March 27, 1944 4 i8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

DANIEL J. CROWLEY WW A mm AJ'TO RN EYS June 19, 1945. D. J. CROWLEY GAME8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 27 1944 INVENTOR.

DANIEL J. CROWLEY BY v ATTORNEYS J ne 19, 1945.

D. J. CROWLEY GAME 8 SheetS-Sheei 4 Filed March 27, 1944 INVENTOR.

DANIEL J. CROWLEY ATTORNEYS June '19, 1945. D, J, CROWLEY 2,378,621

GAME

Filed March 27, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 5- IL 2' 1 u- L 3 m I L .J m! u m u0! m P INVENTOR DANIEL J. CROWLEY VBY. W /MM ATTORNEYS FIG.I5.

June 19, 1945. I D. J. CROWLEY 2,378,621

GAME

Filed March 27, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet v INVENTOR. DANIEL -.I. CROWLEY-A'ITO RNEYs GAME Filed March 27, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 8'" Qda w .w .m

fiwnwwnnwhuwwwwmwnwn I INVENTOR. QANIEL J. CROWLEY ATTORNEY Sunpredictable Patented June 19, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DanielJ. Crowley, Grosse Pointe, Mich. Application March .27, 1944, seria1 No.528,287 12 Claims ('01. 273-86) construction which while mechanicallyoperated is, nevertheless, one in which the advancement of theindividual contestants is irregular and thereby maintaining interestthroughout the entire progress of the game. To

this end the invention consists in the general Further, in the means.employed for rendering the operation of individual elementsuncertainand further in various features of construction as hereinafter setforth.

In the drawings: 1

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the general appearance of thegame;

Fig. 2 is a vertical central. section therethrough;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on line 3 -3, Fig. 2; 1 r

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the controlling means;

Fig. 5. is a plan view ofone of the elements shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 7 is a plan View of another element of Fig. 4; 4 1 1 Fig. 8 is ahorizontal section on line 8-8; Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is an elevation of one of the gear car riers;

Fig. 10 is a horizontal section on line 10-40, Fig. .2, showing oneof'thehorse driving mechanisms in plan view;

Fig. 11 is a section on line I I-il, Fig. 10;

Fig. 12is a View similarto Fig. 2 showing a modified construction;

Fig, 13 is a horizontal section substantially on the line |3-l3, Fig.12;

Fig. 14 is an elevation of the gear shifting mechanism in Figs. 12andl3;

Fig. l-5-is a'p-lan View of one of the discs shown A inFig. .12 togetherwith the driving meanstherefor;

Fig. 1 6 is a view similar to Figs. 2and 12 showing anothermodification; 1

-.F 'ig. 17 is an iend'elevation thereof;

Fig. 18Jis a plan view; Fig. 19 is a section similar to Fig: 2- showingthe ball supporting plates; and v Fig. 20 is a section on line 20-40,Fig. 4. General construction In general construction my improved. gamecomprises -a casing A containing the operating mechanism having arrangedat the top, thereof a series of overlapping discsB, B, etc. representingparallel lanes of a circular race track. Above each of theselanes isthefigure of a race horse and rider, and such figures. C, C, etc. areactuated by means extending between adjacent discs and concealedthereby. The actuating means for each .individualcontestant includes aradius arm D which extends inward from the figure and is attached at itsinner end to a revolubl'e member.

selective controlling means for said transmissions. Thus, the speed ofadvancement'of each individual will depend upon which of thetransmission mechanisms is actuating the same and for how long a periodeach is in operation. This, however, cannot be "predetermined for theopera- .tion of the controlling means is uncertain.

Variable speed transmission mechanism As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, themotor F drives a shaft F through a belt and pulley connected F On theshaft F is a worm F in mesh with the worm gear F on a vertical shaft FThere is also a second worm F on the shaft F in mesh with the worm gearF on a vertical shaft F Driven from the shaft F are two gear trains, oneincluding the successive gear wheels F P and F and the other the gearwheels F F F and "F The gear wheels F and F are concentric with eachother and with the axis of the discs B, B. The former is connected to atubular shaft G and the latter to a hub G revolu- -ble thereon and towhich all of the discs B, B, etc. are mounted. The connection betweenthe hub and discs includes a circular plate G which is supported on ballbearings G from a stationary circular plate G4 mounted on the top plateA of the casing A. The plate G is connected by a series of verticallyextending bolts G to a top plate G and all of the discs B, B, etc.together with intermediate spacers G are clamped between the plates Gand G by the bolts G Thus,.all of the discs will rotate with the gearwheel F The revoluble members E previously referred to are annular andare provided with internal gear teeth E. These members are successivelyarranged between the discs and are supported on bearings G integral withthe respective spacers G A depending flange E on each of the members Eengages the periphery of the bearing G to hold said member E concentrictherewith but independently revoluble thereon. As before described, thetubular shaft G is within the hub G and independently revoluble. tendsupward through the plate G and has mounted at its upper end a gear wheelH to be revoluble therewith. This gear wheel is adapted to mesh witheach of a circular series-of small gear wheels or pinions H surroundingthe same.

Said pinions are, however, mounted on carrier members H which areindividually adjustable to move the pinion into or out of mesh with thegear wheel H. The pinions H are also in mesh with gear wheels H mountedon the same carrier H and said carrier is pivotally mounted concentricwith the axis of the gear wheel H Shafts H secured to each of the gearwheels H extend downward therefrom through the spacers G and on each ofthese shafts is mounted a pinion H which is in mesh with the internalgear teeth E" on one of the revoluble members E. The arrangement is suchthat the rotary motion of the gear wheel F will be transmitted to thegear wheel II and from the latter through the pinions H, gear wheels Hshafts H to the pinions H and to the rotary members E driving the latterat a different speed from that of the discs B, B,

etc. However, when any one of the pinions H is out of mesh with the gearwheel H, the transmission train will be broken and the revoluble memberE will rotate at the same speed as the bearing G on which it is resting.

Control means To operate the carriers H which move the pinions H into orout of mesh with the gear wheel H, there is provided a mechanism whichis indeterminate'in its operation and which is of thefollowing'construction. G is an inwardly curving rim surrounding theplate G and attached thereto. I is a circular plate mounted on thetubular shaft G above the gear wheel I-I. This This shaft G explate isfashioned to form a central bowl-shaped portion I which slopes downwardtowards the center and a surrounding annular portion I which slopesdownward towards the circumference. Projecting upward from the plate Iare pins or studs I which are arranged in a circular series and arespaced from each other a suflicient distance for the passage of a ballor marble J therebetween. A second series of upwardly projecting pins Iare arranged in a circle of larger radius and intermediate the pins I sothat a marble passing between any pair of pins I will be stopped fromfurther outward movement by a pin I Mounted on the plate G on a portionthereof beyond the periphery of the plate I are standards K havingpivotally mounted at their upper ends plates K extending radially inwardover the plate I but spaced above the same. Each of the plates K has adownwardly extending arm K forming in connection therewith a bell cranklever. The lower end of the arm K is attached by a link K with one ofthe carriers H The construction and arrangement is such that if any oneof the plates K is swung upward, by the wedging of a marble between thesame" and the plate I (as will be hereinafter described), this throughthe bell crank arm K and link K will shift the carrier H so as to unmeshthe pinion H from the gear wheel H. A spring K shown as a, U-shaped coilspring will return the pinion H into mesh with the gear wheel I-Iwhenever the marble is removed to permit the plate K to swing downward.Each of the plates K has an upturned inclined flange K at one sidethereof so that a marble J lodged between a pair of pins I on one sideof said plate will be carried by the differential speed of rotation ofthe plates G and I into engagement with said flange K to lift the plateK and pass beneath the same. Further relative movements of the plates Gand I will carry the marble beyond the plate K permitting it to drop toits normal position. The marble is returned to the center of the plate Iby any one of a series of spring arms K mounted on the plate G adjacentto the periphery of the plate I. The free ends of these springs extendradially inward over the plate I 50 that in the relative rotation ofsaid plates I and G the pins I will successively cam the spring arms Kradially outward and then release the same to permit them to springinward. Such inward movement will strike any ball positioned in the pathof the spring and will throw it inward onto the portion I;

The marbles J are normally held in the bowl I but are periodicallythrown radially outward therefrom by a mechanism now to be described.Within the hollow shaft G is a shaft L. The lower end of this shaftrests upon an arm L of a rockable member pivoted at L and having anoppositely extending actuating arm L A rotary cam L secured to the shaftF engages the arm L and during the rotation of said shaft willperiodically depress said arm thereby causing an upward movement of thearm L and the shaft L. The shaft L is rotated by a drive mechanismincluding the vertical shaft F previously described, a pulley L mountedthereon, and a belt L connecting said pulley with a pulley L on theshaft L. This drive connection does not, however, interfere with thevertical movement of the shaft L by the cam L At the upper end of theshaft L is a member M having a hub M and two oppositely projecting armsM Sleeved upon the hub M is another member M having a series of radiallyprojecting arms M The member M is also provided with a series of keywaysM cut therein, any pair of which is engageable with a pair of keys M onthe hub M. Normally the keys M are engaged with the keyways M so thatboth the membersM and M will rotate together at the same speed as theshaft L which has a higher angular speed than that of the shaft G andplate I. When, however, the cam L 0perates to raise the shaft L whichwill disengage the keys M from the keyways M this will permit the memberM to revolve at the same angular speed as the plate I on which it restswhile the member M continues to rotate at a higher speed.

With the construction just described assuming that a number of marbles Jare in the cup I these will be arranged between the radially projectingarms M of the member M and will be carried around with said member. Whenthrough the operation of the cam L the shaft L is raised and the keys Mdisengaged from the keyways M then the member M rotating at a fasterspeed than the member M will cam the marbles out from the pocketsbetween the arms M throwing them outward upon the oppositely inclinedportion I of the plate I. Here they will meet the obstruction of thepins I so that certain of the marbles may lodge in one or more of theclear spaces between sampm while others are xleflected'leaving saidopposite'sides of the periphery of the member E, spacesbetween the :pinsvacant. Consequently 'oneormore 'of the plates K may be lifteda-s'before described and through the connected mechanism .will unmeshthe corresponding pinion .H' from the gear wheel I-I, As the members Erest upon the'bearings G",- they will befrictionally driven atthe sameangular speed as said bearings whenever theircorresponding pinion H isdisengagedfrom the :gear wheel H. On the other handpwhen said pinionandvgear wheel are in meshj'thenthe corresponding rotary member EConsequently,

Operation The description of the construction and operation of themachine as above given may be briefly J summarized as follows. Beforestarting the motor "the horses on the several lanes form-ed by theoverlapping discs are all placed in radial alignment. The mechanism willthen beset in motion and,: assuming that all of the pinions H are inmesh with the gear wheels H, all of the horses will start to travel atthe same angular speed thereby maintaining their radial" alignment.'I-Ioweven'the balls or marblesbetween the arms M Lof the member M3 andin the cup I will-be periodically thrown outward by the camming actionofthearmslvi of the memberM whenever said member is raised by the.operationof th-e cam L Some of the'balls thus thrown outward may; enterone or more of the vacant spaces between the pins 1 to be carriedwithsaid pins and plate I beneath an adjacent plate K s a s-to declutchthe gear train driving the corresponding horse. Ifthis occurs, the horsewill increase its speed for it will then move with the disc beneath thesame which is travelling at higher angular speed than that of the rotarymembers E. 'I-Ioweventhe faster speed will not; be long continued fortheplates I and G are rotating at different speeds which will disengage'theball from the .memberK. .Also the balls will be returned to the-bowl I'by the action of the springs K and the operation will be repeated. Itwil1 be obviousthat no one can exactly predetermine which of the.

horses will bespeeded up'or how often this will occur so that it isindeterminate which one will win the race.

7 To further increasethe-uncertain-ty, I preferably provide anothermixing devicefor the balls which consists of "a prong-ed member Nconnected to rotate with the shaft L with the prongs thereof radiallybetween the ,members M, M and the pins 1 Starting and stopping means ITo assist'in aligning the horses before starting the race :and also forstopping them ,at the conclusion,I have provided an arm 0extendingradially over the discs and havinga vertical shank O engaging abearing 0 on the frame. The arm ymaybe raised or lowered by sliding theshankO in the bearing and a spring 0 or other friction device will holdit in any position of adjustment. Thus, to align the horses beforestarting the race, the arm 0 is depressed and all of the'horses areadjusted into contact therewith. Such "adlustment is possible :by reasonof a slip connection between the radius arm D and-the correspondingrotarymember As shown in-Fi-g. 10, such conzjnection comprises 'apair offriction shoes D :on

I G .means for meshing or unmeshmg gears in each individual train. Thehorses are mounted on winner.

said shoes being pivotally' connected to a link'D at-oneend and having aspring-D. connecting their other ends. suflicient'tonormally drive theradius arm D but will permit of independent movement of said arm inaligning the horses.

Consequently, the friction will be After the horses are aligned forstarting, the arm 0 is raised to clear the same but is again depressedbefore the completion of the race to assist indetermining the Modifiedconstruction Fig. 12 shows a modified construction in which thediscshave the lane portions B thereof all arranged inthe'same plane.Also these discs in- 1 stead of being positively connected to the hub Gare attached to or formed integral with the rotary members E and thehorses are fixedly secured to the respective lanes. The construction .isotherwise substantially the same as previously describedand theadvancement of the individual horses is dependent upon whether or notthe gear train is connected or broken. In the latter case the disc willbe frictionally driven by the bearing on which it rests which isconnected to. the hub G. I have, however, provided a, modifiedconstruction for meshing or unmeshing gears in the driving :train whichis as follows. I place of pivotally connecting the plates K to thestandards K, I employ'fingers K5 having depending arms K. which latterare connected by-a pair of links K with the standard .K. At the lowerend of thearm K is a shifter arm K which engages a pinion H slidableon'the shaft H said pinion being normally in mesh'with the gear wheel H.Thus, whenever a ball or marble passes beneath the finger K to raise thesame, this will lift the shifter K and move the pinion 1-1 out of meshwith the gear wheel H.

This, in turn, will permit the corresponding member E to rotate with itssupporting bearing which is at a lower angular speed than when driven bythe gear connection.

. Another modification In place of having the horses travel around acircular track, it may he desired to have them travel along parallelstraight tracks. Such a construction is illustrated in Figs. 16 to 18 inwhich P .is a shelf extending laterally from the'casing A and having aseries of parallel grooves P in which are located chains 1-" passingaround sprockets P and P Each of the sprockets P is driven through themedium of beveled. gear wheels P and P from a radially extending shaft1- which, in turn, is driven through beveled'gear wheels P and P from avertical shaft P The shafts P correspond to the shafts H and are drivenby a similar mechanism including the posts-P extending upward from thechains? so as to be advanced with these chains. Whenever oneof the geartrains is broken by the unmeshing of the gear thereof, the correspondingchain and horse will remain stationary while the other chains and horsescontinue to advance. Thus, the race will be along a straight track whichmay be'extended to any distance desired.

- What I claim as my invention is:

1.. In a racing game, a frame provided with a pluraliy of paralleltracks or lanes, figures representing individual contestants mounted forI travel along the respective lanes, a driving means, M a plurality ofvdiiierential speed transmissions befor tween said driving means andeach of said figures, and means for alternatively and indeterminatelycoupling one or the other of said transmissions to each of said figuressaid mechanism including a plurality of balls, centrifugal means forpropelling said balls radially outward and lever for cooperating withcertain of said balls whereby the relative advancement of said figuresalong their respective lanes is unpredictable.

2. In a racing game, a frame provided with a plurality of paralleltracks or lanes, figures representing individual contestants mounted fortravel along the respective lanes, a driving means, a plurality ofdifferential speed transmissions between saiddriving means and each ofsaid figures, and mechanism also driven by said driving means foralternatively and indeterminately coupling one or the other of saidtransmissions to each of said figures said mechanism including aplurality of balls, centrifugal means for propelling said balls radialloutward and lever for cooperating with certain of said balls whereby therelative advancement of said figures along their respective tracks isunpredictable.

3. In a racing game, a frame provided with a plurality of paralleltracks or lanes, figures representing individual contestants mounted fortravel along the respective lanes, a driving means, a plurality ofdifferential speed transmissions between said driving means and each ofsaid figures, and mechanism also driven by said driving means foralternatively and indeterminately coupling one or the other of saidtransmissions to each of said figures in successive time intervals saidmechanism including a plurality of balls, centrifugal means forpropelling said balls radially outward and lever for cooperating withcertain of said balls whereby the relative advancement of said figuresalong their respective lanes is unpredictable.

4. In a racing game, a frame, a plurality of discs of differentdiameters concentrically mounted in said frame in overlapping relationto pro vide with their exposed portions adjacent tracks or lanes, aplurality of figures representing individual contestants mounted abovethe respective lanes and supported by the corresponding discs, drivingmeans, a plurality of differential speed transmissions between saiddriving means and each of said figures, one including the corre spondingdisc, means for coupling and uncoupling the other of said transmissionsto said figures, and mechanism also driven by said driving meansindeterminately operating said coupling means in successive timeintervals said mechanism including a plurality of balls, centrifugalmeans for propelling said balls radially outward and lever forcooperating with certain of said balls whereby the figure driven by thecoupled transmission will be advanced at greater angular speed than thespeed of said discs and the relative advancement of said figures isunpredictable.

5. In a racing game, a frame provided with a plurality of tracks orlanes, figures representing individual contestants arranged above eachof said lanes, means for advancing each of said figures along its lane,a driving means, a plurality of transmission mechanisms between saiddriving means and the respective advancing means, each transmissionincluding a clutch, and indeterminate means for controlling saidclutchescomprising a revolving plate having a pocket at the center thereof, aplurality of balls in said pocket,

to be spaced therefrom and at spaced points in the circumferencethereof, and means for periodically propelling said balls outward fromsaid pocket whereby any ball passing beneath one of said levers willraise the same to change the position of said clutch.

6. In a racing game, a frame provided with a plurality of tracks orlanes, figures representing individual contestants arranged above eachof said lanes, means for advancing each of said figfigures along itslane, a driving means, a plurality of transmission mechanisms betweensaid driving means and the respective advancing means, each transmissionincluding a clutch, and indeterminate means for controlling saidclutches comprising a revolving plate having a, pocket at the centerthereof, a plurality of balls in said pocket, levers for operating therespective clutches projecting over the peripheral portion of said plateto be spaced therefrom and at spaced points in the circumferencethereof, means for periodically propelling said balls outward from said.

pocket whereby any ball passing beneath one of said levers will raisethe same to change the position of said clutch, means for disengagingthe ball from said lever after a brief interval to restore the clutch toits original position, and means for returning the released balls to thepocket in the center of said plate.

'7. In a racing game, a frame provided with a plurality of tracks orlanes, figures representing individual contestants arranged above eachof said lanes, means for advancing each of said figures along its lane,a driving means, a plurality of transmission mechanisms between saiddriving means and the respective advancing means, each transmissionincluding a normally engaged clutch, and indeterminate means forcontrolling said clutches comprising a revolving plate having a pocketat the center thereof, a plurality of balls in said pocket, levers forreleasing the respective clutches projecting over the peripheral portionof said plate to be spaced therefrom and at spaced points in thecircumference thereof, means for periodically propelling said ballsoutward from said pocket whereby any ball passing beneath one of saidlevers will raise the same to release said clutch, means for disengagingthe ball from said lever after a brief interval to permit reengagementof the clutch, and means for returning the released balls to the pocketin the center of said plate.

8. In a racing game, a frame provided with a plurality of tracks orlanes, figures representing individual contestants arranged above eachof said lanes, means for advancing each of said figures along its lane,a driving means, a plurality of transmission mechanisms between saiddriving means and the respective advancing means, each transmissionincluding a normally engaged clutch, and indeterminate means forcontrolling said clutches comprising two plates one above the otherrevolving at differential speed, the upper plate having a pocket at thecenter thereof, a plurality of balls in said pocket, levers forreleasing the respective clutches mounted on the other of said platesand having plate arms projecting over the peripheral portion of saidupper plate to be spaced therefrom and at spaced points around thecircumference thereof, means for periodically propelling said ballsoutward from said pocket, obstructing means on said upper plate forlimiting the free paths of outward movement of said balls but leavingrestricted spaces on the outer portion of the plate in which one or moreof said balls may lodge whereby any ball so lodged will becarried by therelative rotation of said plates beneath an adjacent plate arm to liftthe same and disengage the clutch while further rotation will carry theball out from beneath said plate arm, and means for returning thereleased balls to the pocket in the center of the plate.

9. In a racing game, a frame provided with a plurality of tracks orlanes, figures representing individual contestants arranged above eachof individual contestants arranged above each of said lanes, means foradvancing each of said figuresalong its lane, a driving means, aplurality of transmission mechanisms between said driv-' ing means andthe respective'advancing means, each transmission including a, normallyengaged clutch and indeterminate means for controlling said clutchescomprising two superposed'plates rotatingat differential speeds-theupper plate having a pocket at the center thereof, a plurality ofballsin said pocket, levers for releasing the respective clutches mounted onthe lower plate and having plate arms projecting over the peripheralportion of the upper plate to be spaced therefrom and at spaced pointsaround the circumference thereof, means for periodically propelling saidballs outward from said pocket, a circular series of pins projecting.upward from said plate to leave only slight clearance therebetween forthe passage of balls, a second circular series of pins radially outwardfrom said first series and intermediate the spaces between the latter tolimit the outward movement of a ball lodging in any one of said'spaceswhereby the relative rotation of said plates will carry a ball so lodgedbeneath an ad'- jacent plate arm to lift the same and disengage thecorresponding clutch, a series of spring arms mounted on the lower plateto extend over the of concentric rotary members mounted on said frame, amotor on said frame, a plurality of differential speed transmissionsbetween said motor and each of said rotary members, and means foralternatively and indeterminately coupling one or the other of saidtransmissions to each of said rotary members including a plurality ofballs, centrifugal means for propelling said balls radially outward andlevers for cooperatingwith certain of said ballswhereby the relativeadvancement' thereof is unpredictable.

said lanes, means connected to each figure extending between adjacentdiscs, and independently revoluble members for rotating the latter at adifferent angular speed from that of the discs, said transmissionincluding a clutch and mecha-' nism also driven by said motor forindeterminately releasing and engaging said clutches whereby a figuredriven by the clutch engaged transmission will rotate at a differentspeed than said discs while a figure corresponding to and unclutched Itransmission will rotate at the speed of the discs.

12. In a racing game, a plurality ofdiscs of different diametersconcentrically mounted on said frame in overlapping relation to providewith their exposed portions adjacent tracks or lanes, a plurality offigures representing individual contestants mounted above the respectivelanes and supported by the corresponding discs, a motor on said frame, atransmission mechanism between said motor and discs for rotating thelatter at a constant angular velocity, a transmission mechanism betweensaid motor and each of said figures including a clutch, and mechanismalso driven by said motor for indeterminately operating said clutches toengage or release the same comprising a pair of superposed platesrotating at differential speed, the upper plate having a central pocket,a plurality of balls in said pocket, levers for releasing the clutchesof ,the several transmissions mounted on the lower of said plateshavingplate armsprojecting over the upper plate to be spaced therefromand at spaced points around the circumference thereof, means forperiodically propelling said balls outward from said pocket, a circularseries of pins surrounding relative rotation of said plates to releasethe corresponding clutch.

bANIEL J. CROWLEY.

